A student tries to balance the equation Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2 and writes the following step: Fe + H2O4 → Fe3O4 + H2 Which statement best explains why this step is INCORRECT?
It changes the composition of water
While balancing a chemical equation, only the coefficients in front of formulae may be changed; the subscripts inside a formula must never be altered.
Changing H2O to H2O4 alters the subscript of oxygen, which turns water into a different (non-existent) substance.
The correct approach is to use coefficients: 3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2.
Hence, the answer is it changes the composition of water.
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Important Questions from Chemical Reaction
Which of the following statement is/are true?
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